Ethiopia Returns Home After Five Years Of Exile

Ethiopia Returns Home After Five Years Of Exile

Sampson Adedeji

Ethiopia will host international matches on home soil for the first time in five years after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved the use of the Dire Dawa Stadium on Tuesday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The approval ends a prolonged period of exile during which the Ethiopian national teams were forced to play their home fixtures outside the country due to stadium facilities failing to meet CAF standards.

CAF’s green light follows extensive renovation and inspection processes at the Dire Dawa facility, which has now been deemed compliant with the continental body’s infrastructure and safety requirements.

The development is expected to provide a significant boost to Ethiopian football, restoring home advantage to the national teams and rekindling support from local fans who have been unable to watch competitive international matches in the country for half a decade.

Ethiopia is also among the countries bidding to host the 2028 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, and the approval of a CAF-certified stadium strengthens its case as it seeks to convince the continental body of its readiness to stage major tournaments.

With the return of international football to Dire Dawa, attention will now shift to the scheduling of upcoming fixtures, as Ethiopia prepares to fully reintegrate into hosting duties on the continental stage.